Are my hatchery chicks related?

[Peaches Lee]

If I were to hatch out eggs from my chicks I got at TSC, would the chicks have deformities from too close genes? Are they related?

 

[Erica]

Hi Peaches Lee,

Hatcheries usually have a lot of birds running together, so while they're all (in a sense) closely related, the chances of problems due to inbreeding between the ones you've bought are actually fairly small. Most often the eggs that have hatched come from a huge variety of hens and a much greater variety of roosters than with backyarders, who might have only one or two roosters on the go.

cheers

Erica

 

[Peaches Lee]

Thanks very much.

 

[HennyPennyHenHouse]

That was a great question, I wondered that myself. Thanks for asking and answering.